In short
- The low kick is a round kick to the opponent’s thigh or calf.
- You hit with the shin, not the foot.
- Power comes from hip rotation and pivoting on the standing foot.
- The calf kick has become one of the most feared weapons in the UFC.
- The basic defense is the check: lifting the leg to block with your own shin.
Want to slow down an opponent who moves well? Kick his legs. Low kicks don’t look like much on a scorecard, but by round three a fighter who limps can neither advance nor wrestle.
The kick
- Start in your stance, weight on both legs.
- Take a small diagonal step out with the lead foot to open the angle.
- Pivot on the ball of the standing foot so the heel turns toward the opponent.
- Turn the hip and swing the rear leg in an arc, knee slightly bent, then extended on impact.
- Land with the lower shin on the outside of the thigh or on the calf.
- The same-side arm swings back for balance, the other hand stays on your face.
Kick through the target, as if aiming behind the leg.
Targets
| Target | Effect |
|---|---|
| Outside of the thigh | Pain, loss of mobility |
| Inside of the thigh | Off-balances, often used as a counter |
| Calf | The leg stops bearing weight |
| Knee (oblique kick) | Hyperextension, serious injury risk. Legal in competition but controversial, never in training |
The calf kick
The calf kick targets the lead leg just below the knee. It took over the UFC in the early 2020s, and the fight that made it famous was Dustin Poirier’s win over Conor McGregor in January 2021, when calf kicks wrecked the Irishman’s lead leg. The calf has no thick muscle to absorb the blow, and the lead leg carries a lot of weight for boxers and wrestlers who walk forward.
Defending the low kick
- The check: lift the targeted leg, knee out, so the kick lands on your shin. It hurts the kicker as much as the defender.
- The retreat: pull the lead leg back as the kick comes, then counter.
- The counter: a rear cross while the kicker is on one foot, or catch the leg for a single leg.
Common mistakes
- Kicking with the foot: sore toes and no effect.
- No pivot: no power and a strained knee.
- Dropping the hands: the face is still a target.
- Kicking without a setup: a telegraphed low kick gets checked. Throw it after a jab or a feint.
Frequently asked questions
Are leg kicks legal in MMA?
Yes, to the thigh and calf of a standing opponent. Kicks to the head of a grounded opponent are illegal.
What is a calf kick?
A low kick aimed at the lead leg’s calf, just below the knee, which can leave the leg unable to support the fighter’s weight.
How do you block a low kick?
Lift the targeted leg to take the kick on your shin, known as checking, or pull the leg back as the kick arrives.